Steak Marinade Recipes To Beef Up Dinner

The easiest way to deliver big flavor with minimal effort is by using a marinade. And when it comes to steak, even minimal effort (hello, oil and vinegar) produces worthy results, so consider what a truly creative combo can do.

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The easiest way to deliver big flavor with minimal effort is by using a marinade. And when it comes to steak, even minimal effort (hello, oil and vinegar) produces worthy results, so consider what a good, creative combo can do.

Marinated Flank Steak

There’s a deliciously kitchen-sink element to this marinade -- apple juice, whiskey and hot sauce feature in the ingredients -- which explains the rich, multiple layers of flavor. And don't miss this great trick: boiling and reducing the marinade into a sauce for serving on the side.

Citrus juice is a classic meat tenderizer that adds a wallop of flavor in a minimal amount of time -- this marinade calls for as little as 30 minutes and no more than two hours. (The acidic nature of citrus juice can turn the texture of meat mushy if it's left to marinate for too long.)

This inexpensive cut of meat makes excellent use of one mighty marinade: The combination of olive oil, soy sauce, lemon juice, and brown sugar assures a nice caramelized crust and deepens the flank’s flavor -- so it tastes like a much more expensive cut. The marinade sees the dish all the way through, too, since it gets boiled and poured over the thinly sliced meat, which is finished with peppery arugula and more zesty lemon juice.